Loni Anderson

Was born at 5 August 1945 (now is 73 years old) in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

A buxom, be-dimpled, pert-nosed knockout, Loni Anderson took an assuredplace on one of the television sex symbol pedestals during the late1970s and early 1980s. A breakout hit in her Emmy-nominated role asJennifer Marlowe on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati" (1978) , shelater became a soap-styled fixture in mini-movies. All eyes were peeledon this worthy pin-up who helped to bring back the glossyplatinum-blonde allure of 'Marilyn Monroe' , 'Jayne Mansfield' and 'Mamie Van Doren' . A stylish, highly appealing actress whosehourglass figure and piled-on, bleached-blonde mane belied an enviableI.

Q. , Loni strove for much more as she tried to parlay her newly foundfame into a viable dramatic career. She met with a measured degree ofsuccess as she recreated the lives of such artificial sex sirens asMansfield and 'Thelma Todd' on television, but got bogged down intelevision-movie re-tellings of famous movie classics( Three Coins in the Fountain (1954) , Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) , Leave Her to Heaven (1945) )that could not help but pale in comparison. This attempt at seriousnesswas further hampered by messy tabloid headlines in her private life. Loni Kaye Anderson was born with very dark (jet black) hair on August 5,1945 in St.

Paul, Minnesota. An art student at the University ofMinnesota, she entered (and won) beauty contests on the sly (includinga Miss Minnesota runner-up placing in 1964). Married and divorcedbefore she reached the age of 21, Loni took on a teaching position tosupport herself and baby daughter (Deidre) while completing college. Developing an interest in acting, she went the route many aspiringthespians do -- apprenticing in local commercials and theater shows. Still dark-haired, she played in several early 1970s productions suchas "Born Yesterday" (as Billie Dawn), "Send Me No Flowers", "Can-Can"and "The Star-Spangled Girl".

She even played "Tzeitel" in "Fiddler onthe Roof" and appeared in a production of "The Threepenny Opera". Re-married in 1973 (to another actor, 'Ross Bickell' ), the coupledecided to move away from Minnesota to Los Angeles in 1975 and activelypursue film and television work. Pounding the proverbial pavement, sheeventually went blonde and this, plus her gorgeous looks, helped her tosecure minor but sexy roles on such series as "S. W. A.

T. " (1975) , "Police Woman" (1974) , "Barnaby Jones" (1973) , "Three's Company" (1977) and "The Bob Newhart Show" (1972) . By the time she nabbed the roleof Jennifer Marlowe on "WKRP in Cincinnati" (and, with it, two Emmynominations), she had grown quite admirably as an actress. She and 'Howard Hesseman' became the breakaway stars of the sitcomand Loni skyrocketed to sexy status. On the other hand, her instantfame led to the breakup of her second marriage in 1981.

Loni foundhit-and-miss success outside the parameters of her comedy series. Shewas front-and-center in a number of television-movies, notably playingtragic Hollywood sex sirens 'Jayne Mansfield' in The Jayne Mansfield Story (1980) (TV) , opposite'Arnold Schwarzenegger' as her muscle-bound husband'Mickey Hargitay' , and 'Thelma Todd' , in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991) (TV) ,whose untimely death in 1935 is still questioned. Loni also appearedlusciously alongside 'Bob Hope (I)' , brightening up several of hisclassic television specials. On the minus side, she fizzled in herteaming up with equally sexy "Wonder Woman" (1975) star'Lynda Carter' in the tepid, short-lived series "Partners in Crime" (1984) and then played a former Las Vegasshowgirl who inherits a bundle in the sitcom misfire "Easy Street" (1986) . She also was given a chance to work infeature films such as Stroker Ace (1983) .

While her performancein that film was panned, it did have her meeting and co-starringopposite mega star 'Burt Reynolds (I)' . Appearing in routine, mini-movie soap operas (via her own productioncompany), if anything, kept Loni in the public eye as a serious-mindedactress, but it was an uphill battle to rise above her manufacturedimage as a fantasy bombshell. Not helping things was her high-profilemarriage to Reynolds in 1988, which began blissfully enough (andproduced adopted son Quinton), then dissolved quickly into a nastydivorce that damaged the reputations of both stars. In recent years,Loni has shown incredible perseverance. As always, the stalwart beautycontinues to play up the glam but has since downplayed the dramatics.

She seems more focused these days on having innocuous fun, playing anumber of hearty vixens in sitcoms and series guest spots. Over time,she has enjoyed such lightweight sitcoms as "Nurses" (1991) , "The Mullets" (2003) and as 'Tori Spelling' 's materialisticmother in "So Notorious" (2006) , which did not get the seal ofapproval from Tori's real-life mother. .

There is some small facts about Loni Anderson:

When she was a teenager, her mother was very struck by an attractive actor on television and told Loni that was the kind of guy she ought to marry. The actor's name was 'Burt Reynolds (I)' , who she eventually did marry.

Auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow on the situation comedy "Three's Company" (1977) , which went to 'Suzanne Somers' .

Has an adopted son, 'Quinton A. Reynolds' (aka Quinton Anderson Reynolds) (born on August 31, 1988), with former husband, 'Burt Reynolds (I)' .

As a high school senior, she was voted Valentine Queen of her school's winter formal.

Won a bushel of local beauty contests as a teenager including her hometown Miss Roseville pageant in 1963 which allowed her to compete (and become a finalist) in the Miss Minnesota competition. Among her other, less prestigious, titles were; Miss Thermo-Jac Clothing, Miss Thom McCann Shoes, Miss County Style Ford, Miss No Frost Eskimo and Queen of the Hole-In-One.

Described her early development and subsequent decision to have breast reduction surgery as follows, "When I was 14 my measurements were 37D-20-32. Now I feel more in proportion at 36-24-36 instead of outrageous.".

Possesses a massive collection of Snow White miniatures and other Disney memorabilia, animation art, dolls, music boxes, plates and dachshund figures (which she inherited from her mother) that occupies a sizable room in her home.

On January 16, 2008, she was engaged to her former flame, 'Bob Flick (II)' . They first met at a movie premiere when she was 17 years old and a model. They dated for six months before they later married on May 17, 2008.

Growing up with parents who smoked and were affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, she became the spokesperson for the National Lung Health Education Program's campaign and COPDTogether to increase awareness about COPD and caregiver support.

Has appeared in two remakes of 'Jeanne Crain' 's films, Leave Her to Heaven (1945) and A Letter to Three Wives (1949) , although she did not play Crain's character in either film.

Worked as a schoolteacher to support herself and her daughter, while completing her college education.

Attended and graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minnesota (1963).

Attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota.

[on how smoking used to be depicted in films] In the movies, 'Bette Davis' lights two cigarettes and hands the second one to 'James Cagney (I)' . It was so glamorous and romantic.

[on the paparazzi] They almost ran me off the road several times. There are so many chances that they take to get the right photo.

I'm a real woman with a real heart and I have to live with a beautiful body and a pretty face which is not nearly as easy as it sounds.

Look up the definition of rejection in the dictionary, get really comfortable with it, and then maybe you can go into acting.

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Anderson, Loni in movies: A Night at the Roxbury , All-Star Party for Dutch Reagan , All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds , Bob Hopes Bag Full of Christmas Memories , Carol Channing: Larger Than Life , Circus of the Stars and Sideshow , Merry Christmas from the Grand Ole Opry , Sorry, Wrong Number , The 1994 Annual Diversity Awards , The 31st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards , The 31st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards , The 3rd Annual TV Land Awards , The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards , The 5th Annual Sterling Awards , The Annual Friars Club Tribute Present a Salute to Liza Minnelli , The Bob Hope Christmas Special , The Magnificent Magical Magnet of Santa Mesa , Live with Regis and Kathie Lee , The McLean Stevenson Show , The Mike Douglas Show , The Lonely Guy , 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain , A Letter to Three Wives , A Party for Richard Pryor , A Whisper Kills , All Dogs Go to Heaven , All-Star Birthday Party , All-Star Look at TVs Prime Time Wars , Annul Victory , Blondie & Dagwood , Blondie & Dagwood: Second Wedding Workout , Blown Away , Bob Hopes 1990 Christmas Show from Bermuda , Bob Hopes Wicky-Wacky Special in Waikiki , Candid Cameras 35th Birthday , CBS at 75 , Circus of the Stars #4 , Coins in the Fountain , Connie Francis: A Legend in Concert , Country Gold